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free agents

Recent cuts around the NFL that could find their way to Foxboro

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In recent days numerous NFL teams have begun to release players to begin saving against the tight Salary Cap this season ahead of the start of Free Agency. Some big names have crossed the transaction wire and with the Patriots holding a bounty of salary cap space this off season a few could find themselves on the Patriots roster next season. Let’s take a look at some potential fits.

Source: Sun-Sentinel.com

Kyle Van Noy – LB

The former Patriot was informed earlier this week that he would be released and there was immediate speculation about a potential return to Foxboro. While I think this is a likely scenario given our need at the position it must come at a reasonable price. The Patriots passed on paying him an inflated price tag once and I believe they would pass again if the price was not right. A veteran deal coming in at around $8 million per year would benefit both sides. A part of Van Noy’s game that developed late during his stint in Foxboro was his ability to play in coverage. This is an aspect that the Patriots defense desperately needs to improve upon. Keep an eye out for a potential reunion.

Golden Tate & Adam Humphries – WR

Both Wide Receivers were released by their respective teams this week in a Salary Cap savings campaign. However, both spit in the face of the Patriots during prior free agencies at a time when they would have had the opportunity to play with TB12 at QB. I do not envision the Patriots uncertainty at the Quarterback position helping their cause with these two and they are each that much older from when we initially tried to have them come aboard. I think that both of these Wide Outs are unlikely signings unless Edelman is unable to play this season and we push for Humphries to fill his role.

Nick Martin – C

An under the radar potential signing here. Nick Martin brings experience to the table and would be a solid replacement if the Patriots are unable to sign David Andrew. However, I believe that Andrews is extremely high up on their offseason priority list and expect him to be the Patriot’s starter at center next season. Martin was released by the Texans in an effort to rebuild the franchise, but he has plenty of game left.

Source: Jetswire.usatoday.com
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Patriots FA’s – Who stays? Who leaves?

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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

With the yearly Draft hype underway, I thought it would be a good time to have a rundown of each of the team’s 25 free agents, and give my take on who should stay and who should go.

Future free agency and Draft content is on the way (including big boards and mock drafts), so keep an eye out!

LB Shilique Calhoun (UFA) – Leave

Think the team can find better options than Calhoun moving forward, along with continuing to rebuild the Linebacker group. I don’t think he should return.

WR Damiere Byrd (UFA) – Stay

Byrd had a solid year as he assumed the WR2 position, I didn’t expect him to play in that role when he signed a one-year deal last offseason. I can’t imagine Byrd will cost much more than what we signed him for previously, I’d take him back on another one-year deal.

DT Adam Butler (UFA) – Stay

Butler had ups and downs through-out the 2020 season, but, he was the team’s best pass rusher. If the Pats can agree on a new deal, I would like him to return and continue developing, think he has a bright future.

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Patriots transaction news – 08/11

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Following a busy couple of days regarding transactions, let’s take a look at the current status of the Patriots signings/roster moves.

TE Jordan Leggett

Reported first by Field Yates, the deal to sign free agent TE Jordan Leggett is off. The reason why the deal couldn’t be completed hasn’t been released, but after an agreement was initially reached yesterday, it points to a potential failure at either the Covid-19 testing or physical stage of due diligence. Either way, he won’t be a Patriot this season.

It’s a shame this move didn’t work out, I was curious to see how Leggett got on in camp, now (once all projected signings are confirmed) the Patriots have one remaining roster spot for training camp, and I expect them to bring in someone else at the position, they’ve recently shown interest in FA Delanie Walker.

Current TE’s- Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, Ryan Izzo, Jake Burt

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Patriots to sign free agents TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kilgo

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The Patriots are finalizing a move to bring in TE Jordan Leggett and DT Darius Kiljoy to their active roster. Mike Reiss reported that they’d both been in for a visit last Friday, and now, pending successful testing and physicals, they look set to join the team.

This move adds depth for two positions of need as they head into competitive practice next week.

So who are the Patriots signing?

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Closer Look at Patriots’ Coming 2017 Defensive Restart

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I touched on this a little bit yesterday, but wanted to go into a bit more depth today to illustrate just how many choices the Patriots will have to make with their defense in 2017.

Yes, they’ll return everyone next year and with so few free agents in 2016 it will be a prime time to start filling in the numerous holes that they’ll have in 2017. But with a ton of cap space the Pats have a ton of freedom.

First, let’s mention the offense in 2017 which would be in relatively good shape outside of depth. But the front line should be excellent with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis all locked up. And there would be some great pieces up front to block for them – including Solder, Fleming, Klein, Stork and this year’s three rookies Shaq Mason, Tre Jackson and David Andrews (an RFA). The offense could also keep Danny Amendola around, albeit at a high cost.

So offensively the major pieces are in place, but now let’s took a look at a depth chart of the defenders who are currently slated to be under contract in just two years:

That’s it. Nine guys, and Mayo, who is almost certainly cut this offseason, though he could certainly return on a team-friendly deal. Butler is a no-brainer to retain as a restricted free agent as well, though keeping him long term will be a headline issue for 2018.

So tell me exactly how the Pats can’t afford to re-sign Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins and Jabaal Sheard? Because there’s only one guy on this defense that will be playing on a significant non-rookie contract.

The only real question might be if Flowers surpasses Sheard and then makes better financial sense as the starting LDE. Either way I think it’s a good bet that Ninkovich is phased out (unfortunately). Perhaps Rufus Johnson can continue to ascend as well, he’s a exclusive rights free agent after next year.

Really, what are the other options to re-signing the big three? Fill all these holes with external free agents? Or second-year guys and rookies acquired in the next two offseasons? That’s impossible and has no chance to form a defense anywhere close to what it would be with Jones/Hightower/Collins. You need all three of them. It’s in the best interest of the team both financially and on the field.

The real question marks are the second tier guys at less valuable positions like Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon and Chris Jones. I’d also lock up Justin Coleman for this mix as well.

Then Jones/Hightower/Collins would perfect round out the defense, much in the same way the offense looks at this point – just in need of depth but certainly not lacking top-end talent.